The Ruthless CEO And His Substitute Wife

Chapter 3 You May Now Kiss The Bride

The multiplex in the grand, opulent hotel was perfectly graced with the presence of close friends and few business associates. It was a classic wedding, strictly by invitation and no media involved.

It was going to be Matilda's first time of meeting with her in-laws. She felt uneasy but didn't let it reflect in her expression.

"You look stunning, Matilda. I almost couldn't recognize you." Ariana couldn't believe it was her best friend standing before her.

"It's more shocking how quick I changed from being single to married." Matilda scoffed, rolling her eyes.

She couldn't stand living in the same house with her foster parents. Excluding Arthur's arrogance, she didn't see a reason why she should turn down the proposal, when she was also going to benefit from it.

"I really hope that b***h- Cardi doesn't show her ugly face here. I'll deal with her for daring to assault you."

Ariana was the heiress of her father's renowned tech company. She was beautiful, rich and powerful. But she wasn't arrogant and spiteful, which why her friendship with Matilda was a lasting one.

The priest took to the podium, Arthur was already waiting at the altar. He had no best man standing beside him.

‘Of course, nobody will want to be friends with such an arrogant brat. And he doesn't even seem to care. Humph!’

Matilda stood at the entrance in a sleeveless, fit-to-flare, white iconic wedding gown. It was made from 100- carat diamonds and the finest silk.

Beside her was her foster father- Mr. Walton who walked her down the aisle, handing her over to Arthur, who took her to the priest.

Matilda was enthralled at how perfect Arthur look in his tuxedo. His personality made her tremble slightly, but she masked it with a smile.

"Miss Matilda Walton, do you take Mr. Arthur Carnegie, to be your lawful wedded husband, to love and to cherish, to have and to hold, till death do you part?" The priest asked Matilda.

She blinked, gulping hard. "I do," She slowly slipped the ring onto Arthur's finger with shaky hands.

"Mr. Arthur Carnegie, do you take Miss Matilda Walton, to be your lawful wedded wife, to love and to cherish, to have and to hold, till death do you part?"

"I do," Arthur answered coldly. His voice was void of emotion and his face was stoic as he slipped the ring onto her finger.

"You may now kiss the bride," the priest said.

Arthur unveiled his bride. He was amazed at the striking semblance Matilda had with his late fiancée, the only woman he ever loved and desired to tie the nuptial knot with.

Matilda was shy and nervous. She couldn't understand why Arthur was staring coldly at her, when she had done nothing to him. Maybe, he didn't want to kiss her. She didn't mind if he skipped that part, though she'd be quite embarrassed.

He locked eyes with her and captured her lips. It was a slow, sensual kiss. And it ended as soon as it began.

She couldn't savor in the taste of his lips. The kiss lasted for seconds but she would never forget the feel of his lips against hers. It wasn't her first kiss, but there was something different about this one.

Without thinking, Matilda tipped on her toes and claimed Arthur's lips. She kissed him with a sense of urgency and every second made her feel a strange sense of dejá-vú.

Everyone applauded them, same time Matilda came to her senses and broke the kiss. He expected Arthur to glare daggers at her, but he was just as stunned as she was.

When it was time for reception, Arthur would not let Matilda out of his sight. He didn't want her speaking to anyone and only took her to meet with his mother- Selena Carnegie.

"I'm glad you handled everything yourself, proving your father wrong." Selena smiled proudly upon sighting her son together with her daughter-in-law.

"Mother, this is Matilda- my wife. Matilda, this is my mother." Arthur introduced.

"It took you long enough to let me see my daughter-in-law, Arthur." Selena chided her son as she stared down at Matilda who seemed easy to control.

"I have something for you, Matilda." Selena said as she opened a gift box and passed it to Matilda. "This bracelet suites your skin tone. Do you like it?"

Matilda did not dare reject her mother-in-law in front of Arthur, and immediately accepted the gift. "I do, thank you."

"I know things are hard for your family. Arthur is always busy with work and has zero time for romance. But I'll like you to give him a child and continue his bloodline." Selena deadpanned.

Matilda was stunned to hear that. She was yet to fully process the fact that she was married, and now her mother-in-law is already asking for favors.

"Enough. I've told you never to bring this up again." Arthur said to his mother. "Let me not hear this from your lips again."

Ignoring him, Selena went on to ask. "Are you willing to have Arthur's child, Matilda?"

‘No, Ma'am. I'm anything but willing to have a child for your self conceited, arrogant son!’

"I'll do it." Hesitating a little, Matilda went on to say the very opposite of what she had in mind.

"You must be ridiculous to give such a thoughtless, foolish response." Arthur harshly stated, roughly grabbing her wrist and pulling her away.

"Do you f*****g want to hurt me?" After they had walked for few minutes, Matilda pulled her hand away from his firm grip.

"Let's get out of here." Arthur said in a deep, commanding voice. "We're heading home right now."

"My clothes are still in my house. I can't return with you now." Matilda countered.

She wanted to see Ariana before leaving. But Arthur wasn't letting her have her way.

"Well, that sounds like a you kind of problem. We're married and therefore you must return to my house and quickly assume the role of a wife. I'm not asking for what pleases you. I'm ordering you to do as I say." Arthur stated, texting his personal driver.

A range rover sports pulled up a minute after and they got in.

Matilda fluttered her eyes close, clenching her fist to control the maddening urge to yell at Arthur. It wasn't up to twenty four hours since they tied the nuptial knot and they were already having squabbles.

"I'd let your nonchalance slide only this once, Matilda. You seem to have a poor memory because you've already broken two of the rules I gave you at your house." Arthur went on to say.

"And what is my offense?!" Matilda asked.

"You kissed me earlier during the vow exchange. And you just promised my mother to continue my bloodline. Do you think you're deserving of that?" Arthur loved getting on her nerves.

‘You kissed me first, for goodness sake! And who in the heavens, do you just think you are?!’

"You can make s****l advances at me, but I can not make s****l advances at you?" Matilda stared in disbelief, furrowing her brows into an arch.

"Exactly," Arthur clarified. "You will only do what I want and not what you wish. I'd try my possible best to take care of you as a wife."

Matilda chuckled bitterly.

She already promised her mother-in-law a grand child, but Arthur would not let her dare to be intimate with him. She was in-between the devil and the deep blue sea, and had to quickly choose a side.

The car came to halt but neither Matilda nor Arthur seemed to be ready to get down.

"Can I ask you one last question?" Matilda asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Arthur stared intensely at her. He tried to ignore her striking features and focus only on what she had to say. But even her small, round lips were tempting to him.

"Have we by chance, Arthur, ever met before our first date at the tea restaurant?" Matilda had suddenly remembered bits of what happened two days ago, on that faithful night of sinful ecstasy.